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Lou Gehrig's Disease


History
  • ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)is also known as the Lou Gehrig Disease
  • It is named after the famous baseball player who died of ALS in 1941
  • In 1874, Jean-Marie harcot noted the first reports of the characteristics of ALS

  • ALS is caused by a mutation in the genes
  • Familial ALS is linked to chromosome 21
  • In 1993, the research team identified a defective SOD1 gene on chromosome 21 as responsible for many cases of Familial ALS
  • Males tend to get ALS slightly more often than women

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ALS is caused by a mutation in chromosome 21

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Symtoms
  • First symtoms are often weakness in one leg, one hand, the face or the tounge
  • Weakness slowly spreads to both arms and both legs
  • Over time ALS also causes muscle twitching, trouble using hands and fingers, problems with speaking, swallowing, eating, walking, and breathing


  • ALS affects the hands, legs, face and all the other muscles
  • ALS does not affect the brain

Treatment
  • There is no cure for ALS, but treatment can help you stay strong and independent for as long as possible
  • It can also help you avoid other problems from ALS

Works Cited